Wow, it’s been quite a whirlwind of activity in my world this past week in the gaming industry. Fortunately, that intensity has brought some exciting developments. Just as I was contemplating my already packed schedule, the news from Meta compelled me to dive into their latest update— camera access for Quest. But let’s not dawdle. There’s a lot to cover in the XR realm this week— and stick around to the end for a special giveaway!
Headline Stories
Niantic Offloads Gaming Division to Scopely
In a major shakeup, Niantic has parted ways with its entire gaming division, including the mighty Pokemon Go, selling it to Scopely for a hefty $3.85 billion. Intriguingly, this transaction places Pokemon Go under the ownership of the Saudi Arabian monarchy due to Scopely’s parent company ties with the Public Investment Fund. Niantic is now pivoting to concentrate on its geospatial technology, spinning off a new company, Niantic Spatial, with a $250 million funding boost.
This strategic move is both audacious and risky. While a $3.85 billion infusion is substantial, letting go of Pokemon Go is akin to losing a golden goose. It’s a bold gamble on XR’s potential future. I’m rooting for Niantic’s belief in a lucrative AR landscape, hopefully emerging in a few years. However, distancing from Pokemon Go could be a leap of faith without a safety net. If AR takes longer to mature, Niantic might find itself in a precarious position. Inspiring, though, is John Hanke’s commitment to this daring pivot; he’s truly all-in.
Meta Unlocks Passthrough APIs for Quest 3/3S
At long last, Meta has unleashed the passthrough APIs, giving developers access to camera feeds for crafting mixed reality (MR) applications on the Quest. This capability enables apps to canvas the user’s surroundings via camera imagery analyzed with AI/ML models. Included in the SDK and runtime for Quest and Quest 3S are official samples demonstrating this tech.
The community’s already buzzing, crafting tutorials and exploring the new frontier. I’ve also rolled up my sleeves to pen an expansive post guiding new users on navigating Passthrough Camera Access. Meta’s method is akin to Google’s anticipated approach with Android XR, ensuring cross-platform camera access compatibility—a promising stride indeed.
Unfortunately, the feature remains experimental for now, restricting app releases to the Horizon Store. Typically, Meta loosens these restrictions after a few months, so we need a bit more patience.
VR Games Showcase March 2025: A Feast of Announcements
Jamie Feltham once again curated the VR Games Showcase, bustling with intriguing reveals in VR gaming. While there were no jaw-droppers, several intriguing updates caught my eye. Allow me to highlight a few gems:
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"Stay: Forever Home," a heartwarming VR/MR adventure with a virtual canine companion, is set for an April release on Quest—do check out the new trailer.
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PSVR 2 is gearing up for the release of "Hitman: World of Assassination" on March 27th. The well-crafted trailer has us hopeful for a stellar VR Hitman experience.
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Sci-fi survival horror "Memoreum" is slated for a September launch on Quest, complete with an enticing new trailer.
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Slender: The Arrival VR is in the pipeline for PS VR2, PC VR, and Quest this spring. Given its spine-chilling PC version, I can’t imagine its VR incarnation!
- Flat2VR Studios unveiled plans for four fresh titles—ports of existing flat-screen games. Following successes like "Trombone Champ: Unflattened," the studio is branching into more complex adaptations.
Dive into the full spectrum of updates through the links provided for all the juicy details!
Ultraleap’s Disbandment: A Disheartening Update
In a disappointing turn, Ultraleap, once a shining star in haptics and hand-tracking tech, has been dismantled. Sources reveal that parts of the business, like hand-tracking tech, have been sold off to Roli, affecting about 30 employees. Meanwhile, intellectual property rights have transferred to SIM IP, wrapping up a sad chapter for Ultraleap.
No word from Ultraleap, but silence often speaks volumes. It seems this promising startup missed the boat on acquisition by XR headset manufacturers before the industry pivoted towards internal development.
Samsung’s Project Moohan Headset May Include Controllers
Reports from SamMobile suggest Samsung is crafting its own motion controllers—ET-OI610 models—for the upcoming Project Moohan headset. Unlike Apple’s approach to forego hand tracking, these controllers might not come standard with the headset.
Compatibility with established headsets like the Meta Quest will aid devs in porting content seamlessly to Samsung’s new device. It’s another step for Google’s Android XR, promising swift library expansion.
Meta Struggles with Horizon Worlds Engagement
A deep dive into Horizon Worlds by New World Notes exposes the disconnect within Meta. Shockingly, developers lack enthusiasm for the virtual spaces they’re creating. There are tales of employees fabricating activity using headset hacks, illustrating a larger issue of engagement and passion.
Combine this with a team largely retrofit from web-based applications, and the disconnect becomes clear. Reports suggest a leadership steeped in learning the basics of VR, painting a chaotic picture of development.
It’s puzzling why Meta pursues Horizon Worlds over optimizing its Quest ecosystem, nurturing the struggling developers producing amazing content.
Mention-Worthy Tidbits
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Google is eyeing up AdHawk Microsystems, known for non-optical camera eye-tracking—signaling Google’s keen investment in XR tech.
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Valve is developing a SteamVR Link Dongle to ensure dependable wireless PC VR connections, eyeing compatibility with multiple hardware platforms.
- Meta has launched microgestures in its SDK, expanding user interactions in MR apps with nuanced hand movements.
Community Tidbits
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Prepare for jaw-dropping physics in the Quest 3’s MAGE sandbox—an engine so specialized, it’s unrivaled.
- Immerse yourself in Apple’s Vision Pro with a Metallica concert, employing immersive 8K 3D video and spatial audio.
Game Sales Alert
Massive discounts await on Steam and the Horizon Store, with standout deals like Half-Life: Alyx at a tempting 70% off. Now’s the time to snag some VR gaming treasures!
Giveaway Alert
Here’s a chance to grab "Mythic Realms" for free on Quest—two keys are hidden somewhere in this post. Good luck getting them before others do!
And remember, while this blog does run ads and affiliate links, rest assured any click-through earns me a tiny token of appreciation. All details are in my official disclosure for those curious souls.
Stay curious and keep gaming!
